Shinyei Matayoshi

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to Shinyei Matayoshi (30103657), Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, on 7 November 1944, in the vicinity of La Roussiere, France. Sergeant Matayoshi exposed himself to hostile observation in order to clear a path through a minefield which was impeding his company’s advance. As he proceeded to work in the mined area, an enemy machine gun suddenly opened up at him and the man immediately behind him. Determined to silence the enemy machine gun so that friendly troops could advance, Sergeant Matayoshi, whose weapon had jammed, crawled toward the machine gun, taking advantage of what cover and concealment he could find. When he was within throwing distance of the enemy emplacement he threw his grenades, and with the aid of his bazooka team which fired bazookas at the proximity of the grenade explosions, forced the two-man machine gun crew to surrender.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Shinyei Matayoshi (30103657), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 14 July 1944, in the vicinity of Pieve di S. Luce, Italy. During an attack by his company, the leading elements wee pinned down by machine gun fire and rifle fire, whereupon Sergeant Matayoshi voluntarily crawled forward over open ground exposed to enemy fire to a point within 15 yards of the machine gun emplacement. Although the enemy continued firing the machine gun and throwing grenades at him, Sergeant Matayoshi calmly trained his Thompson sub-machine gun on the enemy in the machine gun pit, pinning them down temporarily. He then threw one hand grenade which fell short, then another which scored a direct hit, killing one and mortally wounding another. Immediately the wounded enemy surrendered followed by three other riflemen who were supporting the machine gun emplacement. The outstanding courage displayed by Sergeant Matayoshi is a distinct credit to himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.